Presidential pardon to 762 prisoners

President Maithripala Sirisena will pardon 762 prison inmates in view of the Vesak Poya day this year.

The main ceremony to release those prisoners will be held at the Welikada Prison premises under the patronage of the President on Saturday.

Accordingly, inmates will be released from about 30 prisons island-wide including 117 from the Welikada prison, 50 from the Anuradhapura prison, 53 from the Pallansena Correctional Center for Youthful Offenders, 45 from the Kalutara prison, 55 from the Mahara prison, and 62 from the Pallekele prison.

In addition to that, 34 other inmates including 26 females will also be released on license on the same day.

Prisoners, who had been charged for minor offences and have been in the prisons for being failed to pay the fines, will be released on the Presidential Pardon. They are over the age of 70.

Those who convicted for serious crimes would not be released under the Presidential Pardon on Saturday.

Justice and Prison Reforms Minister Thalatha Athukorala and MP Wijayapala Hettiarachchi will also be present on this occasion.